Acne question

[mama2jackie]

I've been on the honey and baking soda face wash for about 6 months and I really like it.
I was never convinced the OTC or even prescription stuff I've used in the past was really doing much for my breakouts, but I'm definitely not seeing an improvement with the honey. It's just the same. Which is fine- it's not worse!- so I've stuck with it.

My question is what can I do if I think it's a hormonal or internal problem? I breakout constantly with no relief for 2 wks prior to my period, and NOTHING will help. I promise you I've tried it all, the oils, the washes, over the counter, natural, etc. I can treat the breakouts but I cannot prevent them whatsoever.
My diet is generally very good and I drink a lot of water, so I don't think that's the problem.
I hate to go back on the pill, I REALLY do, but what are my other options? I really want to regulate my skin and prevent the breakouts before they happen, instead of treating them.

[mavery]

If it's hormonal, you could try some herbs to try to balance your hormones. Vitex is very good for balancing women's hormones. I'm trying that at the mo and hoping it will help my acne as well as regulating my cycle a bit.

Also, herbs that support the liver may help, since the liver is needed to break down hormones and if it's not functioning well then your hormones can be out of whack. Dandelion root and milk thistle seed are two possibles, I think.

Decreasing dairy is the other one I sometimes find helps.

[T&D2005]

Could it be a diet problem?
Ever since I started taking a vitamin b supplement (with vit c added), probotics and zinc, I've noticed a big improvement. I started making "green smoothies" and I have noticed a BIG change with that too. A green smoothie is basically water, frozen or fresh fruit blended with a little ACV, flax seed (omega 3's), celery and romaine lettuce (yes I blend up lettuce in my smoothie to get vit A) I add cinnamon and honey to the smoothie and sometimes vanilla pudding or ice cream for a kick. It's not as bad as it sounds and you can get creative. Regardless, now I'm getting all my fruits and veggie servings in a smoothie twice a day and my skin is very responsive to it.
You can add different veggies to suit your taste buds. I will try adding a little chocolate or reeses pieces next time.

[T&D2005]

You say you wash with honey and BS, have you tried toning with diluted ACV to restore the pH on your face?

[Margot Adler]

i'm interested

i've never heard of this... how diluted?

[CarrieMF]

I agree on taking vitex.

Also, what kind of honey are you using. I noticed a few results with regular honey, but the organic stuff(not too pricy compared to the regular honey) is way better. I don't use any BS.

[FluffiB]

I get cystic acne around ovulation and period, normally on my chin. What helped a lot was to exfoliate with Scotch tape! I read about it on acne.org. You just take a piece of tape, stick, and gently peel. Do it about twice a week. I still get zits, but they go away within a few days versus weeks.

Diluted ACV is like glycolic acid and will exfoliate too, but it does nothing for my skin.

I also dab a bit of baking soda paste or milk of magnesia before bed. MoM dries it up pretty good, and my zits are way smaller in the morning.

I used to take Vitex but didn't do much for me. I probably wasn't taking enough though.

ETA: Exoliants like BS and other scrubs might be irritating your acne-prone skin. Try the tape method instead since there's nothing scrubbing your skin.

[Lact-o-Mama]

:

FluffiB: Is Cystic Acne those hard lumps that you can't pop? I have never heard the term before and I too get them on my chinney-chin-chin right before AF.

What is it about the tapethat works? Is it just the peeling of the dead surface skin? and should I do this all over my face or just my acne prone areas? and should I re-use the same peice of tape?

Thanks!

[FluffiB]

Originally Posted by Lact-o-Mama

FluffiB: Is Cystic Acne those hard lumps that you can't pop?

Yes! They are painful and annoying!! Sometimes there's a head on it that oozes.

What is it about the tapethat works? Is it just the peeling of the dead surface skin?

Yes! Dead skin cells clog your pores, leading to acne, especially for those with oily skin.

and should I do this all over my face or just my acne prone areas? and should I re-use the same peice of tape?

I do it all over my face since exfoliating generates new skin cells, so it's supposedly good for wrinkles and fine lines, etc. I use the same piece of tape about 2-3 times until it no longer feels sticky. I generally do a section, like forehead, one side, chin, per tape about 3" long. I like the brand-name Scotch tape better than generics - stays sticky a bit longer. And I like the invisible/transparent types, not the clear ones. Make sure you only do it every 3-4 days, otherwise, it'll irritate your skin (ask me how I know!).

[T&D2005]

To answer the question.. you can dilute the ACV depending on how your face acts. I currently use 1oz ACV to 4oz water.. some people do 50/50 and some do less. Experiementing is the only way to find out!

[goodearthmama]

My routine honey to wash, jojoba oil to moisturize ( and it is a cleansing oil, so no clogging) and Dandelion root.

[pazerific]

FluffiB--do you use the scotch tape before or after washing your face? i'm totally intrigued, and planning on trying this asap!

[FluffiB]

I do it after washing and toning, before moisturizing. My current toner is diluted ACV, but if yours has any oils in it, I would do it before toning. I do it at night time so the skin has a chance to recover before going outside in the sun, etc. Make sure to wear sunscreen!